Description

Re-built, 1798, possibly incorporating earlier fabric; later alterations and additions. 2-storey and attic, 3-bay rectangular-plan, near symmetrical, crowstep-gabled former manse with pitch-roofed entrance porch; single storey and attic crow-stepped projection to left; various additions to rear; single storey rubble, gabled store sited immediately to N of house; single storey ancillary range sited to N of main house; later addition to W end; battered conical kiln to E end. Harled house; harl-pointed squared and coursed rubble to ancillary range.

HOUSE: S (PRINCIPAL) ELEVATION: main 3-bay group: window to entrance porch at ground in bay to centre; modern timber-panelled door in right return; window at 1st floor above. Window at each floor in bay to right. Bipartite (later) window at ground in bay to left; window at 1st floor above. Lean-to modern conservatory addition, set to right, in projection to left; large shed dormer above; window to left.

N (REAR) ELEVATION: main 3-bay group: window at each floor in bay to centre. Window to gabled projection in bay to right. Lean-to projection with window set to left spanning block to right. Pend between main house and projection.

E (SIDE) ELEVATION: 2-bay: window at ground in bay to left. Window at each floor in bay to right; gablehead stack above.

W (SIDE) ELEVATION: 2-bay projection: modern glazed door at ground in bay to left; attic window above; window at ground in bay to right; gablehead stack above. Attic window, set to left to main house; gablehead stack above.

Variety of glazing patterns, predominantly 12-pane timber sash and case windows. Traditional graded stone tiled roof; grey slate roof to store; stone ridges; harled, corniced gablehead stacks to E and W of main house and to W of lower projections; predominantly uPVC rainwater goods.

INTERIOR: not seen, 1998.

BOUNDARY WALLS: drystone rubble walls enclosing large rectangular garden to S of main house; tall, square-plan piers with ball caps to E; replacement iron gate.

ANCILLARY RANGE: 4 irregularly disposed entrances to N; regularly fenestrated to S. Traditional graded stone tiled roof; corrugated-iron to E end; stone ridge; stone skews.

Statement of Interest

Originally constructed as Hoy Manse, it remains a good example of a high class Orkney house. It retains its crowstepped gables, its substantial stacks and its traditional graded stone tiled roof. The single storey ancillary range retains a particularly intact example of a typical Orkney kiln. Sir Walter Scott is reported as having stayed at Burra House in 1814, (3rd SA).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17827115

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Gloucestershire 2: The Vale and The Forest of Dean: Vale and Forest of Dean Pt. 2 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)